Beadle's Dime Library No. 305 — page 27: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Silver-Plated Sol, the Montana Rover. What had become of the Magician? He had distinctly said that he had business elsewhere and must go out, but he certainly had not passed ee the main room, and there was supposed to be but one place of exit. The opinion grew with Sol that there really was another, and that Hamed was gone, and he turned his thoughts upon the proposed rescue of is. How was it to be done? ‘ Sing-So had lain down on his rude bed, and, judging by his want of motion, was fast near- ing Ce gtial dream-land, That the iutruder’s presence was unsuspected was clear, but how was he to accomplish his object without betray- ing himself? Unless Sing So was an unusually heavy sleeper, it could not be done. Sol bad unlimited confidence in his ability to handle the fellow as ke would a child, but he did not want to betray the fact that he had been there by any such encounter, He wished in vain that be had a quantity of chloroform with him, but as he did not carry a drug-store in his pocket, the idea was not to be entertained. He decided to wait until Sing-So gave evi- dence of being asleep, and then to move secretly while he could. Such evidence w +8 soon given. Sing-So began to breathe heavily, and then to snore in a way that was weird, startling and resonant, Sol waited patiently, and when the time seemed ripe, crawled from under the table. He was fully launched on his yenture, but what the result would be no one could tell. He had carefully marked the position of the door which led to Lois’s prison, and he stole in that direction with extreme caution. He expected to hear the Chinaman start up, but Sing-So slept igegrtey | on: perbaps he dreamed of his youth in the Flowery Land, The adventurer reached the door, It was se- cured with a bar, but this was easily removed and he passed cautiously through and reclosed the door. He felt steps ahead of him and t to ascend, They creaked dismally under his feet and gave cause for fresh doubts, but all re- mained silent and Sol pushed on steadily. The top of the s‘airs was soon reached and he found himself in an unknown quarter, At first he thought there was no light whatever, but a faint gleam as from the floor arrested bis atten- tion and he was not at fault to explain it. He moved on once more and found another door, Like the other, it was barred, but the obstacle was soon removed and, after a brief hesitation, he pressed the latch and passed through. Then he suddenly paused, ; Once more be was in the presence of Lois rme, The girl sat ina chair neararude bed, Her hands were bound together, while a rope ex- tended from them to the bed post, giving her a chance to either lie down or to occupy the chair, but at the same time making her com- paratively helpless. She heard the sound of Sol’s entrance, and the light in the room enabled her to ses him clearly. She had started up, an alarmed look on her face, but it gave place to one of doubt as she recognized the rover. He ought not te come as an enemy, and yet—why was he there? He quickly closed the door, and then removed his hat and put out one hand pogeden 9-6 ‘‘ Have no fear, Miss Orme,” he said kindly. “Tam not one of Pp enemies, and Vl help u out of this fix if you say So.’ fe Can you do it?” she breathlessly asked, “T can try hard. Weare in tbe lair of the APT free from the danger of prying eyes, and them ekite but the victory is not always to the evil. CH gages sateen 3 found voice to say he bad feared I’m surprised to see you a prisoner here. LOIS. trouble had come to Sol, he was so long absent. ; ‘‘It was Hamed who kiinapped me,” she bit- went outside, and a new phase of his character seems developed.” ‘‘P’m inclined to think he has several of them,” dryly observed the rover, “but that don’t heip us out. We have got to run the gant- let, and we may as well be about it,” They made such preparations as were pos- i and then moved cautiously toward the stairs, All continued silent below. They stole down with as little noise as pos- sible, though the creaking of the boards sound- ed louder than ever, and were soon on the ground floor. Sol cautiously opened the door. Sing-So was still making the air vocal, and Sol’s hopes of escaping without discovery in- creased, They began the passage to the outer door, They were not destined to do so successfully, however, for they had taken but a few steps when the Chinaman bounded up as_ though operated by springs and stood in their path. He shouted something in a shrill voice, but as Sol was nota Chinese scholar be did not know what it was. No words were needed, however, to make it clear that they were in danger; Sing- So had awakened just when he ought to have slept, and it seemed that his gaze pierced the darkness and comprebended the exact trouble. Before the rover could move the Chinaman made a dash to one side, but as Sol knew he was making for some weapon, be prepared to put an end to his scheme immediately. He leaped forward in turn, catching Sing-So, and then essayed to hurl him to the floor, but it was soon clear that Sing-So had been under- rated in the bill. He turned on Sol like a tiger, and caught him by the throat with a grip which bade fair to crush everything between nis fingers. Lois had uttered one cry, but after that she was cooler than could be expected. She might have escaped from the house, but she would not leave her rescuer. She looked in vain for a way to belp him, Colton would have laughed at the idea of needing help to ag 4 out the *‘ Chinee,” but he soon found that he had vat a full-grown cy- clone ee naly speaking. Sing-So had muscles of iron, and he was either an accom- lished wrestler or a rem»rkably lucky one. e glided eel-like from Sol’s pet *‘ locks,” and the longer they struggled the fresher he seemed to become, The rover was far from being contented. He was not afraid of Sing-So, but he expected every moment to see ed appear on the scene and discover what was going on. ‘Tt mustn't i ah !”? muttered Sol, through his set teeth. ‘“* break this heathen in two!” He redoubled bis efforts, and the two whirled about the room in a way which sent chairs and other articles of furniture spioning about like tops. ois chanced to find the lamp before it was sent to ruin, and she finally managed to get a light, though not sure one was safe. Sol, how- ever, resolved to make practical use of it. It he couldn’t worst the Chinaman in the present plies there was a trick or two not yet tried, e planned his trick well, and when he bad Sing-So where he wanted him, ran him back- ward with resistless force until the heathen’s feet struck a fallen chair. That was the last of Sing-So. He went over backward like a falling tree, and Sol landed heavily on top of him. Another moment anda heavy knee was on the Chinaman’s breast, and a strong band on his throat. “Stay where you are!” sharply directed the ES on myselfaway. I)l go, but Tl be around any time ’m wanted, old man. Eat this cotton!” He thrust an improvised gag into the fellow’s mouth and the work was done; there was no more to hinder them from going at once from the house. Lois had conducted herself admirably all through the struggle, and Sol looked at her with admiring eyes. Himself of a nature that no danger could daunt, he admired the quality in others, and not less In a Woman than a man. The light was extinguished and they went from the house. The night was intensely dark, and they had slowly commenced the descent of the ledge when Lois broke the silence. ‘* Where are we going now?’ ** ‘Where do you wish?” ‘“‘That [ don’t know. Perhaps it is as wel) that I should continue missing from the village, but I know of no real place of refuge.” Sol remembered the cabin jointly occupied by Lovering and bimself. “IT can give you bumble quarters for awbile; perbaps long enough to bring matters to a defi- nite point. Things are moving on in Bowlder Bar, and there’)] be a crash by-and-by and we can all go our ways. Until then I shall be pleased to act as protector to you; I don’t forget the night in the burning building; and if I can help you through, I wil.” There was much in bis s and indefinite, but it bad a manly ring, and Lois hesitated but a moment. She felt the need of friends, and she felt that she could trust him, and she accepted the offer in the spirit it was made. A few minutes later, as they journeyed down the slope to the village, Sol remembered the cloud which hung over the girl and asked him- self if he bad done wisely. In Red Summit a dark crime had been com- ech that was vague Ye rete een of the darkest known to men. Roger Hillard bad lost bis life at the bands of assassins. Atone time since coming to Bowl- der Bar Sol had considered Lois connected be- yond doubt with the deed. Then she saved bim from the flames and he said: ‘*I cannot make war on this woman!” Subsequent events had served to strengthen the hold she had upon’ him. He felt for her a respect—be would not admit it was more—which he would not will- ingly feel for a murderess, ‘ ow, he was offering ber his Ph tn and the face of Roger Hillard seem him, pale, sad, reproachful. He felt angry with himself, and, for a mo- ment, was tempted to turn upon ber and ahi wer the charge which was in his mind, and which bad been 1 oe of between him and Lovering, but she spoke and bis mood changed. For bim, it was impossible to hear her voice and think evil of her. They went on without ay ie any one and soon reached the cabin. A light shone from the window, indicating that Lovering wasthere ~ and when he pusbed the door open be saw that man seated at the table, eating bis supper. Lovering sprung up and a pleased look came to his face, but it changed to one of surprise ab sight of Lois. He stood looking at the two in silence. ** Home again !” said Sol, ligbtly. ‘‘ I believe you know this lady, Mr. Lovering.” “Ido not forget easily, and the night of the fire is still vivid)y in my mind. ss Orme, you are welcome.” ; He . gh ber his hand blindly, butthe perplex- ed look was still on his face; be was wonderin if it could be possible Silver-Plated Sol ha brought home a wife. The three sat down after making the place The time had not yet come for the rover to tell to arise before +4) terly said, ‘He is my enemy, though—| rover. ‘1 have you foul, and Ill shut off some | the story of bis adventure at Grizzlies’ Bridge; 4 though—” of your wind if you don’t ‘lie still!” he did not care to bave Lois bear it. ; aa * Well?” . Sing-So aed, up with a face the personifi- Her own effairs demanded attention first. Ss “‘ How does it happen you are here if heis not | cation of meekness, ‘*T wish to know what we can do to shelter ras your friend?” “Me no wantee glittee up,” he asserted. Miss Orme,” the rover abruptly said, ‘The 5 “ Just the question he would be likely to ask | ‘You’rea liar, John, but it don’t countin | other room of the building is good enough for aq if he saw me,” said Sol, with alaugb. “I am- | the roll of honor. ‘You've gota muscle like an | the occupancy of you or me, but will it do for nals bled in through the window, unseen by either | ox, and I must ask you to keepitdown. Miss | her, and is it a place where she would be likely ey Hamed or Chop-Stick-Wah-Ho, the Celestial, | Orme, please find se nt ‘ to escape observation? This cabin is the wae and here I am, as you may perceive. Now, then, ‘*Me no wantee ble hung!” cried Sing So, | perty of no one in particular, and, now that so 4 de shall we get out of here? alarmed at once. many miners are homeless, some one may cor > "Ta om Gladly ! she answered, earnestly. ‘ Res- ‘You ought to be hung, you scoundrel, and | here and demand it. We have no legal claim, ie cue me, and my warmest thanks will ever be | go out of the world as you’ve lived, but as I’m | and, if they insist, are not strong enough to # yours.” not a public executioner, I can’t take justice in | keep them out.” 7 “T don’t forget that you saved me in the fire, | my hands, Ab! the rope!” #2 think there is no danger,” Lovering re- ~ a and I trust lam not without gratitude. Here Lois bad brought it, and Sing-So wassoon | plied. ‘“‘ The cabin has the reputation of being’. we gol” readered helpless. With hishands and feet tied | ‘unlucky,’ and I heard the miners one and all a The last remark referred to the fact that he | up be was not likely to fight any more, but Sol | declare to come here when they were driven : _ had severed her bonds. She stood erect, free. paused with the gag above his mouth, out. We are safe, 1 am sure, and we will de- a" “How are we going to pass my captors? How did you pass them coming in?” The second question followed the first abrupt- ly, and was naturally suggested thereby, and Sol briefly explained the situation below. “T trust we may be able to walk out unmo- lested,” he said, ** but if the worst comes, I have a six-shooter here which will clear the way, if iudiciously used. I have the most fear of old med. Do you think we are likely to meet ““ Where’s your master?” be demanded. ‘‘Me not knowee, all samee.” “Very well; who is he?” ‘* Hamed.” ‘* What else?” ‘That all I knowee.” “‘Sing-So, if you belong to a church that allows such us lying as you're guilty of, its records ought to be burned. The truth sin’t ou, or, if it is, it sticks tighter than a burr. I had the time, ’'d try to make you talk, but ee eS fend the lady to the last.” He spoke with an emphasis surprising to Sol and gratifying to Lois, and the spirits of all perceptibly arose, Lois was shown her room and she decline it all she could wish. In point of fact it was meagerly furnished, but in the crises of our life we bave to be satisfied with a — deal that is unpleasant, and so it was in the present case, Lovering preserved a grave and thoughtful. though kind, maoner, and was evidently doing i lt LE LE LLL XRD DDL WC LDR LLL LLL LLL LL LLL in If: as “ i don’t know. I did not suppose he ever - ‘tis, I suppose prudence requires me to tear more meditation than either of the others. He = = . | 2 a ad 6 : . ate